North America Distribution

Facts About

Lesser purple fringed bog-orchid is a spectacular orchid, pollinated by smaller butterflies, skippers and moths, the pollinia becoming attached to the insect's mouth parts. The specific name (psycodes) comes from a Greek word meaning 'butterfly-like', referring to the shape of the flowers.

11×16.
Platanthera lacera
×
Platanthera psycodes
→Platanthera×‌andrewsii
(M. White) Luer is a rare bog-orchid hybrid in New England known from
CT, MA, ME,
NH,
VT. On initial examination, it shows more dissected labellum segments than
P. psycodes, but the perianth is usually only tinged with red-purple to purple. The viscidium length/width ratio is a useful character for critical determinations. The hybrid has a ratio of 1.3–3,
P. lacera has a ratio of 2.7–4.6, and
P. psycodes has a ratio of 1–1.5. A smilar hybrid,
P. ×‌keenanii (8
×11), has larger anther sacs (2.5–4.2 mm long vs. 1.4–2.3 mm long inP. ×‌andrewsii).